Prosecutors argued that Gholston kidnapped Allen from the front porch of her sister's home, strangled her and hogtied with a coaxial cable and then burned her body in an attempt to destroy evidence. Her body was found in a backyard on the west side of Indianapolis near Gholston's last known address.

Investigators found Gholston's DNA on the girl's body and shoes. He was arrested about three months after her death.

Dominique's sister, Shenika Poindexter, described her family's loss during the hearing. She said if Gholston received 100 years in prison "it won't be enough."

"We missed everything," Poindexter said. "She was the last baby. Everything is gone. We don't have anything."

Defense attorney David Staples contended during the trial there were no witnesses or evidence showing what happened to Allen from the time she disappeared until her body was found.